The fact that the number of elderly people in our population is growing is continually made known to us. We live in the hope that services which address the needs of a growing elderly population will develop accordingly, and will match the demand on health and social services which an elderly population demands. Projections of the quality and the quantity of need carry a tall challenge. Overall demand is difficult to determine. One need is however easily determined; Home care. There is no place like home! This is a fact which the literature presents, the evidence supports and populations across the world keep calling. Indeed there is not much room for arguing around the contention that, one’s own home, is the place where people of all ages and disabilities want to reside in.

Against this backdrop, globally, care services are increasingly focusing on the development of strands of services which enable and support an individual to continue to live in one’s own home as long as possible. Care services initiatives such as night shelters and day centres continue to arise but the thrust is on developing care and support services that help an individual stay home. Home care is increasingly becoming the way forward.

The advantages to home care are revealing on both fronts; the elderly person, and his or her family. The literature echoes evidence that individuals characteristically desire to continue to live in their homes, and expressions of interest in signing into residential or nursing homes, arise as a result of unmet health needs. Typical unmet health needs are those arising from frail physical status such as impaired mobility, psychological disturbances such as fear and insecurity, and compromised social well-being such as loneliness.

Efficient and effective home care seeks to address all such health needs. In meeting such needs home care provides the vehicle which enables an individual to stay where he or she wants to stay; home.

To say “There is no place like home” is neither anecdotal or rhetoric, nor is it simply a catch phrase. It is in fact sadly an expression which many an older person moans in disappointment whilst coping with the reality that he or she has to leave her or his own home and take up permanent residence elsewhere.

Excitingly it is, also an expression that many an older person sighs in relief when the reality of being able to remain living in their own home through good Home care is realised.

The benefits for the older person being able to remain living in their own family home with their own possessions and memories are thus clear. In turn, there are benefits for their respective families too. Knowing that your Mum, Dad or other loved one is living in the place that they would choose to, is inarguably, just great.  Moreover knowing that visiting them and spending time with them does not need to change (in time and place), is just as great.

When an individual continues to live at home, the opportunity norms of family gathering and hosting friends can be maintained. The individual may be dealing with changes to their mobility or cognition but they are at home, their home which has not been snatched away.

Unlike residential homes which understandably comprise policies and regulations, on the nature and timing of visits. Such policies and regulations play no game in one’s own home. Thus the control and freedom for both the older person and his or her family are significant and moreover highly advantageous.

The state has a huge role to play in ensuring adequate home based care across the country. Community and primary health services will most likely largely remain a domain in which government will maintain main stage position, in the medium term. However, the private sector has much to contribute in the social care and support services in individual’s home. As is increasingly the experience across Europe; Government is apparently set to welcome the contribution of private sector care providers in this regard. The private sector is clearly equally set contribute accordingly, towards a better life for those who needs and deserve care and support to remain in their own home.

Kenneth De Martino is the Chairman of Caremark Malta